CRYSTAL PALACE 0 WEST BROM 1

Rondon (74)

SALOMON RONDON’S secondhalf header proved enough as West Brom recorded victory in their first game since being bought by Chinese investor Guochaun Lai.

Alan Pardew’s Palace had been the more creative team without looking likely to score amid West Brom’s fine defending. It is little secret Palace’s pre-season had been undermined by their players’ exploits at Euro 2016.

Yohan Cabaye’s involvement in France’s run to the final, and Joe Ledley’s with semi-finalists Wales, meant both began their 2016-17 preparations late.

Yannick Bolasie – reportedly close to concluding a £30million transfer to Everton – joined them on the bench.

In their absence, the hosts’ creative responsibility lay with club-record signing Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha.

The latter’s presence on the left in a 4-3-3 restricted him throughout the first half, when Townsend provided little beyond one shot comfortably saved by Ben Foster.

Rondon earlier had a threatening header well saved by Wayne Hennessey, while Connor Wickham sent a close-range shot wide for the hosts.

Pardew switched Townsend and Zaha at half-time, and he was almost rewarded as Chung-yong Lee played Zaha into space, which allowed him to use his pace to go one-on-one with Foster.

But one too many touches meant his first shot presented Foster with a routine save. When the ball came back to him he then delayed shooting until his best chance had passed, allowing Foster to save again.

Bolasie replaced Lee – following the warmest of receptions from the home fans. Shortly after, West Brom’s James McClean came on for Craig Gardner.

Perhaps seeking McClean’s spontaneity, boss Tony Pulis then watched the winger change the game. From a 74th-minute rightwing free-kick, he crossed towards Rondon and the striker, under little pressure, headed beyond Hennessey inside the far post.

Palace could only respond via Bolasie, who saw his penalty claims dismissed by Craig Pawson.